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Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2)

Class 8 · Foundation (Classes 6–9)

Ch 4 · The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2018 · Q4

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

  1. 1.The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
  2. 2.The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 Indian Economic Development, Ch 7 (Environment and Sustainable Development); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: The CPCB was set up in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 — a law, not an executive order.

Class 11 Indian Economic Development, ch 7: pollution control boards promote cleanliness of streams and wells and improve air quality. Class 8 Exploring Society (Part 2), ch 4 names the NGT a specialised tribunal. That is statement 2. With the fact, 1 is false. Answer (b).

Beyond NCERT: the NGT was set up in October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to decide environmental cases quickly. So the first half of statement 1 is right; only the CPCB half is wrong. Source: National Green Tribunal, About Us, greentribunal.gov.in

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 4 ↗

Prelims 2019 · Q52

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

  1. (a)The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.
  2. (b)The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.
  3. (c)In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.
  4. (d)State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society).

Exploring Society, Class 8 Part 2 (ch 4): under Article 142 the Supreme Court can pass any order necessary for doing complete justice. Only option (b) is about the Supreme Court. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 52 ↗

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